ABSTRACT

Emulsifiers are a large category of compounds considered as surface active agents, reducing the speed of chemical reactions and enhancing its stability. Emulsifiers are found in various natural resources and are synthesized by bacteria, fungi and yeast. Two most commonly used emulsifiers, namely carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Polysorbate –80 (P80), promote overgrowth and inflammation of small intestine, P80 is able to increase bacterial translocation across epithelia. These two emulsifiers are indigestible and mainly excreted in the faeces; both promote microbiota encroachment and increased levels of pro-inflammatory flagellin and lipopolysaccharides (LPS), correlate change in microbiota composition and intestinal inflammation. Such alteration promoted colitis and induced low grade inflammation and metabolic syndrome. Increased risk by inflammatory bowel disease confers the development of colorectal cancer, causing inflammation and promotes colon tumorigenisis. Dietary emulsifiers correlate with altered gut microbiota and metabolic syndrome. Antibiotic resistance is also one of an emerging concern because of greater access to antibiotic drugs in developing countries. Antimicrobial resistance occurs naturally over time, usually through genetic changes. Patients are at greater risk of worse chemical outcomes and death. Biomedical devices such as urinary catheters, heart valves, central venous catheters are susceptible to biofilm formation on surfaces, bioemulsifier are able to interfere with biofilm formation, modulating microbial interactions with interfaces. Bioemulsifier are considered to participate in various intercellular molecular recognitions such as signal transduction, cell differentiation and cell immune response. Surfactin induces apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF7 cells through a ROS/JNK mediated mitochondrial/caspase pathway. Detergency, emulsification, foaming, dispersion make biosurfactants suitable for use in drug delivery. Surfactins are capable of down regulating LPS induced nitric oxide, also down regulating primary macrophages by inhibiting to NF kβ activation which shows a good potential as bacterium derived anti-inflammatory agent. Such applications of biosurfactants over synthetic emulsifiers have forced us to look for alternative preparation of emulsifiers using natural sources. Due to their physicochemical properties, microbial surface-active compounds are attractive for use in a wide variety of medical applications and additives in various formulation.